Vanguard Magazine

24 JUNE/JULY 2025 www.vanguardcanada.com A N T I - C O R R U P T I O N THE EVOLUTION OF ANTI-CORRUPTION EFFORTS AND PRACTICES in defence industry contracting and procurement B Y PAT P O I T E V I N I n 2018, I authored a piece in Vanguard Magazine April/May edition on the importance of anti-corruption compliance in defence procurement. Much has changed since then. This updated article revisits the topic in the context of a rapidly evolving regulatory and geopolitical environment - and with new insights gathered from CANSEC 2025. Representatives from across the industry, including SMEs and major contractors, shared how they are adapting their ethics and compliance programs in response to rising regulatory and procurement expectations for transparency, third-party accountability, and technology-enabled oversight. This article explores how compliance is no longer just about following rules—it's about enabling better decisions, stron- ger partnerships, and sustainable growth by building a strong Eth- ics and Compliance (E&C) culture anchored on a risk manage- ment mindset. Framing the Evolution of Ethics, Compliance and Anti-Corruption In the ever-evolving landscape of the global defense industry, one constant remains: the need for strong ethics, compliance, and anti- corruption measures within an integrated Ethics and Compliance (E&C) program. Over the last decade, the defense sector has seen an increasing shift in how businesses approach governance, trans- parency, and accountability, particularly in their interactions with government procurement and third-party supply chains. The growing demand for corporate responsibility, driven by heightened regulatory scrutiny, global anti-corruption cam- paigns, and shifting public expectations, has necessitated a more robust and sophisticated approach to ethics, compliance and anti-corruption efforts. These developments have elevated the role of E&C from a narrow compliance task to a central business function. Addition- ally, anti-corruption efforts must be seen within a more strategic E&C and risk management lens. At the same time, emerging technologies and shifting social values have placed a spotlight on how companies integrate integrity into every layer of their operations. This article explores how defense industry compa- nies have adapted to these changes, the role of emerging tech- nologies like AI in shaping E&C functions, and the growing importance of building a culture of integrity throughout the supply chain. The Growing Importance of E&C in the Defence Industry The defence sector has traditionally operated in a highly regu- lated and scrutinized environment due to the nature of its op-

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